Week 4 – Wednesday 30 March

“But an opportunity came when Herod on his birthday gave a banquet for his courtiers and officers and for the leaders of Galilee. When his daughter Herodias came in and danced, she pleased Herod and his guests; and the king said to the girl, ‘Ask me for whatever you wish, and I will give it.’”

Reading

Mark 6.14-29

The Death of John the Baptist

King Herod heard of it, for Jesus’ name had become known. Some were saying, ‘John the baptizer has been raised from the dead; and for this reason these powers are at work in him.’ But others said, ‘It is Elijah.’ And others said, ‘It is a prophet, like one of the prophets of old.’ But when Herod heard of it, he said, ‘John, whom I beheaded, has been raised.’

For Herod himself had sent men who arrested John, bound him, and put him in prison on account of Herodias, his brother Philip’s wife, because Herod had married her. For John had been telling Herod, ‘It is not lawful for you to have your brother’s wife.’ And Herodias had a grudge against him, and wanted to kill him. But she could not, for Herod feared John, knowing that he was a righteous and holy man, and he protected him. When he heard him, he was greatly perplexed; and yet he liked to listen to him. But an opportunity came when Herod on his birthday gave a banquet for his courtiers and officers and for the leaders of Galilee. When his daughter Herodias came in and danced, she pleased Herod and his guests; and the king said to the girl, ‘Ask me for whatever you wish, and I will give it.’ And he solemnly swore to her, ‘Whatever you ask me, I will give you, even half of my kingdom.’ She went out and said to her mother, ‘What should I ask for?’ She replied, ‘The head of John the baptizer.’  Immediately she rushed back to the king and requested, ‘I want you to give me at once the head of John the Baptist on a platter.’ The king was deeply grieved; yet out of regard for his oaths and for the guests, he did not want to refuse her. Immediately the king sent a soldier of the guard with orders to bring John’s head. He went and beheaded him in the prison, brought his head on a platter, and gave it to the girl. Then the girl gave it to her mother. When his disciples heard about it, they came and took his body, and laid it in a tomb.

Reflection

The feeding of the five thousand is a high point in Jesus’ ministry. So high it is easy to forget it comes after a very low point. Side-by-side in Mark 6 are two banquets. One, gathered around Jesus, where all are invited, all are fed simply and abundantly, and leftovers bless even more people. A banquet where the king himself is host and servant.

The other banquet is Herod’s, a very different king. Food and surroundings are luxurious; only a select few are invited. Herod’s banquet may be lavish, but it is marked by scarcity: lack of grace, lack of guests, lack of inclusion, lack of leftovers. Instead of finishing with shared abundance, it ends with the murder of John the Baptist. Herod had much, but wanted more.

The choice is stark: which king would we prefer to follow? What does that mean for our choices of food, friends and surroundings?

Prayer

Generous God, help us not be so ground down by the world around us or enamoured with our own importance that we fail to see your offer of simple and generous abundance. Amen.

Today’s family challenge

Think about what – or who – is most important in your life

Adverts can make us think buying things will make us happy. Ask yourself, your friends or family what really matters to them in life.

Are the answers things that can be bought?